Time to Speak Out

The place at which I work is currently overhauling and updating the undergraduate curriculum. The committee in its wisdom (or lack thereof) has suggested that the one course requirements in Literature, Philosophy, Religion, Sociology and Psychology should all no longer be part of the core curriculum. They should be 'optional'.

I hardly know where to begin with this - although I have argued to and fro with many emails. The committee, though, stand determined.

I can only say that in my counseling practice, in which I meet with many people far older than college age, I regularly use material from Literature and Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology and Religion in order to help bring people back to a sense of meaning and direction. It turns out that these disciplines, if neglected, cause serious problems to arise later in life. It also appears that when serious problems appear even, knowledge of these areas, even slight knowledge carried over from their undergrad days, can help people deal with the damage they have suffered.

But of course that doesn't matter to the committee, because by the time our students notice the gaping holes in their souls they have been gone for many years.

And so I speak out. But perhaps you have other views?